The Dreyfus Affair: The Conspiracy that Divided France

The Dreyfus Affair was a major political scandal in France from 1894 to 1906, centered around the wrongful conviction of Captain Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish French army officer, for treason. Dreyfus was accused of selling military secrets to Germany, but was later proven innocent. The case sparked intense public debate and political division, highlighting antisemitism in France and exposing flaws in the justice system.

Alfred Dreyfus was falsely accused of treason and espionage due to a combination of factors, including antisemitism within the French military, a forged document, and a judicial conspiracy. A document known as the "bordereau," containing French military secrets, was found, and Dreyfus, a Jewish artillery officer, became the primary suspect due to his background and the handwriting on the document resembling his.